As the cricketing world gears up for the Asia Cup 2025, fans across the continent are buzzing with anticipation. The Asia Cup has never been short of drama, heroics, and unforgettable moments that can have defined careers and sparked fierce regional rivalries.
The stunning upsets to nail-biting finishes the tournament has offered everything for a cricket lover who could ask for. So before the 2025 Asia Cup starts, let’s check some of the best moments in the past Asia Cups.
Malinga Magic- 5 wickets vs Pakistan 2014
Venue: Mirour, Bangladesh
Moments: Lasith Maling, who was the one who turned the 2014 final into a personal highlight by getting out Pakistan’s top and middle order with 5 wickets, which included the main players like Mohammed Hafeez and Fawad Alam.
Iconic moment: Malinga’s signature slinging action and lethal yorker sealed the memorable win for Sri Lanka and reminded everyone why he is the best.
India vs Pakistan Thriller Ends in a Tie 2018
Venue: Dubai
Moment: in the 2018 Super Four stage, where a classic India-Pakistan clash ended with a tie, with both teams scoring 245 runs.
Iconic moment: it was the only scored tie in Asia Cup history, and it also showcases the evenly matched intensity between the two arch-rivals. Kedar Jadhav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar lower-order, fought back, which made it thrilling.
Afghanistan Near Upset of India 2018
Venue: Dubai
Moment: Afghanistan came agonisingly close to beating India in a match which ended in a tie after MS Dhoni captained the young side. Mohammed Shahzad’s 124-run knock and Rashid Khan’s economical death overs pushed the game to the edge.
Iconic Moment: It was the moment that defined Afghan cricket, where they stood against the giants. The tie felt like a win for the underdogs and also a warning to the traditional powerhouse.
Jayasuriya Rampage- 189 vs India 2000
Venue: Sharjah
Moment: Sanath Jayasuriya unleashed fury on the Indian bowling attack, smashing the blistering 189 off 161 balls which was the highest score in the Asia Cup match for many years.
Iconic Moment: It was not about the runs it was all about the way Jayasuriya dismantled legends like Anil Kumble and Ajit Agarkar, setting up a massive Sri Lankan total and a comfortable win.
Bangladesh Heartbreak in the Final 2018
Venue: Mirpur
Moment: Bangladesh, who were near, scripted a fairy tale win in the 2012 final against Pakistan. Who cased 237 and needed just 9 runs in the final over, but were short by 2 runs.
Iconic Moment: This was the turning point for Bangladesh cricket. Despite the loss, the Tigers earned global respect for the fight and showed that they could compete on the big stage. Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal were brilliant throughout the whole tournament.
India’s Dominance in 2010
India had young guns who were led by MS Dhoni and powered by Gautham Gambhir’s consistency, which took home the 2010 Asia Cup title after 15 years. It was marked as the beginning of the dominant era of India in cricket history.
The Asia Cup has consistently delivered drama, emotion, and thrill to the fans to remember it for a lifetime. The 2025 edition is around the corner and can be expected to reach a lot of height compared to previous editions. Let’s see who wins this time and create a new story to tell in the future.
One thing is for sure, as history is any indicator the Asia Cup 2025 is going to be a must-watch cricket tournament this time.
Which Asia Cup moment is your favourite? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for more pre-tournament updates and analysis.